Jon Kehl
Jon grew up in a family owned greenhouse/ floral/ produce business in Ohio, via Germany. He was taught about preparing the soil and care of plants from his grandfather, father and uncles. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides were introduced to him for rapid growth and insect control. They produced plants, flowers and produce that looked very good, but was not healthy for the soil or the environment.
With current information about the soil/ food web chain, combined with the things he learned from his family, Jon created a program that matches the needs of farmers, landscapers and gardeners today. It's important to get back to feeding the soil with organic nutrients, instead of just dumping chemicals on for quick, temporary results. The advantages of organic farming prompted Jon to start a worm farm with his partner, Kevin. It's taken a couple of years to get the worm beds producing up to their standards, but their castings, tea and Culture Cubes are everything the partners could ask for.
Kevin Southard
Kevin grew up in Pennsylvania on a large crop, cattle and horse farm. He learned about working in the garden at a very young age, growing various vegetables with his father. As a young man he moved to Wyoming, where he worked for a landscaping company for 7 years. During this time he had an opportunity to see the results of chemical warfare on plants and trees, and to begin to appreciate the value of organic gardening. Kevin has shown the value and benifits of organic growing to his former employer, his family, and many interested growers.
Jon approached Kevin about starting a worm farm on property Kevin purchased in St. Anthony, ID, with the intention of growing a large crop of organic vegetables. The plan came together and they started Rocky Mountain Worms. They now have 12 large worm beds and Kevin has been responsible for preparing food for the worms, keeping the temperature, moisture, and ph correct, and their general everyday care. They now produce a line of quality products that are beneficial to the environment, and to their increasing number of satisfied customers.
